Admiring My Scars: Double Mastectomy with Implant Reconstruction

I lived with tissue expanders for 2 years because I wanted to heal and feel like myself again. I’m happy I waited to get my implants placed.

• Procedures: double mastectomy, implant reconstruction
• Reconstruction immediately postmastectomy: No, 2 years later due to having radiation and possible skin tightening.
• Years of procedures: 2022
• Age: 40 years old (now)
• Race or ethnicity: Black/African American

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My diagnosis story

I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in January 2020. At first, they thought it was only in my nipple. In March, I was re-diagnosed with stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, estrogen-positive, progesterone-negative, and HER2-positive.

Even though I only had cancer in my left breast, I decided to have a double mastectomy to remove as much breast tissue as possible.

My plastic surgeon was confident that implant reconstruction would work well for me. I didn’t have the option to do DIEP flap reconstruction because I have a lean body type.

My double mastectomy and treatment

I had six rounds of chemotherapy and then a double mastectomy with tissue expanders placed in my chest in September 2020. After surgery, I was told I was cancer-free.

My body was still recovering from chemo, and the healing surgical incisions were painful. The edges of the expanders were a bit rough and sharp inside my chest, but I got used to them eventually.

Over the next few months, I had 28 rounds of radiation on my left breast, and my radiated skin tightened around the expander.

My plastic surgeon filled my expanders three or four times until they reached the size I wanted. Getting the expanders expanded, for lack of a better word, was temporarily uncomfortable. I had physical therapy to prevent lymphedema, and it helped me get my range of motion back — although I don’t think I’ll ever have 100% range of motion with my arms again.

I finished radiation in January 2021 and had another form of chemo until April 2021.

I had expanders for over 2 years

After going through so many medical procedures, I just wanted to heal and get my life back for a minute. I wanted to regain weight and let my hair grow back — to feel like myself again — before getting a cosmetic procedure.

My doctor told me I could wear the expanders for as long as I wanted. When I realized I didn’t have to go under the knife again so soon, something told me to wait.

Two years later, I decided I was ready. I wanted to get it over with since expanders aren’t really meant to stay inside you for an extended period of time. In October 2022, I had the expanders replaced with implants, and I healed much quicker than I did after the mastectomy. I attribute it to the time I waited and healed.

By that time, I was back to myself and felt healthy. The implants were a cherry on top at that point. The size is asymmetrical but well-balanced enough, and most natural breasts aren’t symmetrical anyway. I breastfed 4 years before my diagnosis, so my natural breasts were a bit droopy.

I still feel womanly, although I don’t have my original breasts, and my new size and shape are slightly larger and more defined than my natural breasts. They’re a bit unnatural because they don’t droop — I don’t even have to wear a bra.

But they’re not too big, not too small, and sit up very well. I don’t have any discomfort. When I put on my swimsuits, I look good.

I’m happy.

I also still have some feeling in my breasts — they aren’t totally numb.

I haven’t had any scar revision, nipple or areola reconstruction, or tattooing, though I’ve considered tattoos — maybe one day. For now, I’m admiring my scars because they remind me that I’m still alive.

What I want others to know

I hope you ask lots of questions and feel clear-headed when making decisions about your life.

It’s important that you feel comfortable with and confident in your medical team. Make sure you know about all of your options and don’t feel rushed into a procedure.